Shedeur Sanders: Browns No. 3 QB says he can beat some NFL starters

Shedeur Sanders, the Browns' No. 3 quarterback, says he is capable of doing better than some NFL starting QBs, even though he has yet to throw a regular-season pass for Cleveland. In an ESPN Cleveland interview published Thursday, he said, "I know if you see the quarterback play in the league right now, I know I'm capable of doing better than that."

The Browns opened training camp amid a four-man competition for the starting role, with veteran Joe Flacco named the starter and third-round pick Dillon Gabriel lined up as the direct backup. The team also traded Kenny Pickett to the Raiders in the offseason, which left Sanders as the lone quarterback on the depth chart to operate primarily as the scout-team option. Sanders has tried to stay focused on the process, telling ESPN Cleveland that he is not letting the depth chart dictate his mindset: "Overall, I feel like I'm doing great and doing what I need to do each and every day. Remaining focused and mind on the complete mission, not really get comfortable. I'm not comfortable being a scout team player, but honestly, that's my situation, so I'm going to make the best of it and enjoy my moment."

The backdrop to Sanders' situation includes reported interest from other teams. The Ravens reportedly wanted to select Sanders with the No. 141 pick, but his camp told Baltimore he did not want to be Lamar Jackson's backup since that would offer little path to a true starting role. The Eagles also inquired, though that franchise has Jalen Hurts under contract as the starter, leaving Sanders with a clearer route to meaningful snaps in Cleveland than in Baltimore or Philadelphia. Cleveland's front office has publicly indicated they prefer Gabriel to start for now, given he was selected two rounds before Sanders and would be the first to replace Flacco if needed.

"I focus on each and every day and what I got to do. Just because where I am on a depth chart, don't let that dictate my mindset each and every day because you don't know what happens or what could happen," Sanders told ESPN Cleveland this week. "It's keeping a mindset of staying locked in and staying into everything, and remaining focused on the main thing."

The Browns are 1-2 after upsetting Green Bay in Week 3 and face a tall test in Week 4 when they visit the Detroit Lions. While speculation swirls about whether Gabriel or Sanders could be pressed into action this season, the rookie notes that the decision is not in his hands. "I don't think playing or not playing is in my hands. I think based on the situation, if things happen, if things pan out where I play, then I'll be out there and ready to play. I'm ready to play right now," he said.

As Sanders waits for his opportunity, the Browns' quarterback room has drawn attention from across the league, underscoring the high expectations and the unpredictability of development paths for a player viewed as a future potential starter. The NFL landscape includes veterans like Flacco leading the way while a rookie behind him continues to learn, prepare, and stay ready for a moment when Cleveland calls.